Acrisure Stadium hosts 2026 Kickoff and Rib festival Thursday through Monday
Acrisure Stadium’s annual Kickoff and Rib Festival starts Thursday and continues through Monday.
The staple of the Labor Day weekend brings together barbecue pitmasters for a weekend of fall-off-the-bone ribs, live music, and family-friendly fun while also marking the start of football season in western Pennsylvania.
This year, the 2025 Kickoff and Rib Festival champion, Off the Bone BBQ, will return to defend its title against a lineup of regional and national favorites.
Judged by a celebrity panel, the 2026 PA Pork Pitmaster Awards will crown a first-place grand champion who will receive an authentic Wild Cat Championship belt.
There will also be University of Pittsburgh football and free concerts.
Admission to the festival grounds is free. Food and drink and admission to the Pitt Panthers football game will be available for purchase.
Festival hours for each day are as follows: Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Monday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Go online to AcrisureStadium.com/ribfest for a full schedule and more information..